The House of Representatives approves the child care tax credit. Lawmakers wonder why this wouldn’t benefit stay-at-home moms • West Virginia Watch

“We are reflecting the image of the federal program … to help parents conduct their child care under the same principles of federal guidelines,” said House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood.

Several lawmakers noted that the bill would not result in widespread distribution Lack of child care across the state.

“This is a great recognition. I’m excited to help with this, but it helps in hindsight. It will not improve access to child care,” Del said. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, said the state has lost hundreds of child care spots this year, largely due to this to financial burden. “It will help people who can already find it and afford it.”

The new state-level credit is non-refundable.

Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, and other House Democrats tried change The legislation provides for a refundable tax credit. Williams said it wouldn’t give families money to put into child care. He estimated his amendment would price the bill at $6 million or less, compared to $4.2 million in the bill Tax notice.

““If there is an individual who does not owe income tax in a given year, they will be left out of this,” Williams said.

He continued: “I don’t care about the cost of this change. The costs that matter to me are [what] It’s costing our families to raise a family in 2024…I’m just trying to put more money in people’s pockets so they can enjoy the freedom of raising a family while working.”

Criss pushed for the amendment’s rejection, saying he didn’t believe lawmakers wanted to give people “a direct check” for child care. The change failed 77-15.